Cardinal Points

Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Kelli Catana

A diverse country needs a non-traditional leader

By Jim Elliot
staff writer

Since George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States in 1786, our country has consecutively elected 42 exclusively-white Anglo-Saxon men to follow in his footsteps.

This fact seems very bizarre when considering the diverse, complex mosaic of cultures and ethnicities that shape America, and how this complexity is increasing dramatically as technology and globalization continue to shrink the globe.

Considering this, it seems hypocritical and counterproductive to truly realize America's lofty claim of equality that not one member of another culture, ethnicity or sex have even once represented the country's highest office.

This lack of diversity in past presidents highlights an important concern for all American citizens: How can the rights for all Americans be understood thoroughly and protected equally if the majority do not have, nor have ever had, a president who shares their culture and way of life?

This is not to say American presidents have not made amazing accomplishments in promoting equality and increasing cultural understanding. Civil liberties movements such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage and the Civil Rights Act were all life-changing ideas facilitated by American presidents.

Yet the foundations for these milestones lay buried in a long history filled with the brutality and ignorance of America's dominant ethnicity, culture and sex. And, as we all know, racism, sexism and general inequality still linger and occasionally thrive throughout America.

For instance, if you were to ask my grandfather, an eighty-one-year-old WWII veteran, whether America is ready for a woman or minority president, he would likely grumble something sexually or culturally derogatory. A mildly intolerant attitude like my grandfather's is common here in America, yet my grandfather is a reasonable person who is not hateful toward others, just like most Americans.

My grandfather's behavior was molded by the world that raised his generation ("the greatest generation," according to Tom Brokaw). This was the generation that endured the great depression and went to war against the threat of Hitler and the Nazis. This world made them tough, resourceful and proud, but sadly, not very empathetic.

This generation was also well into adulthood before the dawning of the civil rights era and the sexual revolution (too bad for them), meaning they were raised to think men and women were not equal, just as people of different races were seen a century ago.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools